The Dark Gift

The White Room

She was told it was her fault that she lived in this nightmare. She didn't understand how or why she got her; it was blurry. All she knew was that the Bad People were gone, and she was alone with Hannah, sleeping in her crib. She held Hannah as she lay on the ground. She needed to protect her, but she felt so tired, and she awoke in the white room without Hannah. At first, she yelled for Hannah, but they never told her where to find her. Hannah needed her, and she needed Hannah; she was her big sister. The White Coats informed her that she was sick and needed to improve. She didn't believe that at all; she felt healthy.

       Curling up into a corner of the room, Raven glanced at her white-patted room. She would have guests visiting and giving her food and medicine; they'd wear grey buttoned scrubs. Charles was one and her friend; maybe he could be her new father. He was her caretaker, just like a father should be. The Grey Scrubs would change often, but not Charles.

 
Sometimes, she would leave her room and see other adults who called themselves Therapists. The therapist would talk to her, which she liked, but she didn't like most of their questions, and they would disappear. Then, Ms. Connors, her oldest friend like Charles, maybe she'd be her mother, and they would be a happy family.

 
      Her head shot up when she heard a sound come from the patted door to reveal two men wearing grey buttoned scrubs. She smiled when she saw Charles walk in, but another man stood behind him, whom she had never met. The man looked scared and didn't look at her; she didn't like being ignored. Raven wanted him to leave so Charles could be alone with her new daddy.

"Hello, Raven," Charles said with a smile, "Time for your medicine,"

"Hello, Charles," she responded. "who's that,"

"Charles, I don't want to do this," the man said 

Charles sighed, "Hugh, she's eight," he said, "what's going to happen?"

Hugh paused for a moment and took a deep breath, "Fine," he said

      Hugh slowly and shakily walked towards her, holding two small paper cups; one held water, and the other held the medicine.

Raven watched Hugh with every action he did; she tilted her head and smiled, "Why are you afraid of me?" she asked. "you're bigger than me,"

"Can I see Ms. Connors?" she asked Charles.

Hugh didn't respond but handed her medicine, and she took it, not taking her eyes off him. She opened her mouth to show him, "Was I a good girl?" she asked.

Charles walked over to Raven and pulled out handcuffs, "Yeah, it's about time," he said

Raven pointed her arm at Charles as he cuffed her, "Can you be my daddy?" he asked. 

Charles humoured her, "Sure if you show me how strong you are," he said in her ear.

Raven looked at him with confusion, "What do you mean?" she asked, 

Charles didn't respond.

Raven was led out of the room; she glanced at Hugh, who looked away but followed close behind Charles as they walked down a long hallway. She stopped in front of a door, Hugh opened it, and she walked in. She stopped in her tracks; when she glanced around, she sensed another person but ignored it as she saw Ms. Connors. She had short blond hair and hazel eyes.

The room was dark except for a lamp that hung over a table and two chairs, both across each other, "Hello, Raven," Ms. Connors said without the smile that Raven was used to, "how are you?"

Raven sat down and smiled at her mother, "I'm good," she responded, "why's it so dark?"
"Today, we're having a serious talk," Ms. Connors responded

Raven giggles, "Why doesn't the person come out?" she asked. "we can all talk together,"